Mobile terminal

ABSTRACT

A mobile terminal includes a body including a flexible portion, a display unit provided to the body, a sensing unit provided to the body and generating an electric signal in response to bending of the body, and a controller recognizing the electric signal and controlling the display unit according to the electric signal generated by the bending of the body.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(a), this application claims the benefit ofearlier filing date and right of priority to Korean Patent ApplicationNos. 10-2009-0101709, filed on Oct. 26, 2009, 10-2009-0103587, filed onOct. 29, 2009 and 10-2009-0105297, filed on Nov. 3, 2009, the contentsof which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present invention relates to a flexible or bendable mobile terminal.An input may be received by the mobile terminal in response to thebending of the mobile terminal or the mobile terminal may output anotification signal by being bent.

DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART

A mobile terminal may be configured to perform various functions such asdata and voice communications, capturing images and video via a camera,recording audio, playing music files and outputting music via a speakersystem, and displaying images and video on a display. Some terminalsinclude additional functionality which supports game playing, whileother terminals are also configured as multimedia players. Morerecently, mobile terminals have been configured to receive broadcast andmulticast signals which permit viewing of contents such as videos andtelevision programs.

Generally, terminals can be classified into mobile terminals andstationary terminals according to their mobility. The mobile terminalscan be further classified into handheld terminals and vehicle mountableterminals according to their mode of portability.

There are ongoing efforts to support and increase the functionality ofmobile terminals. Such efforts include software and hardwareimprovements, as well as changes and improvements in the structuralcomponents which form the mobile terminal.

Moreover, the mobile terminal is considered as a personal portabledevice, and may have a two sided LCD (liquid crystal display) havingview windows on both sides of a body, a flexible display, a full facetouch screen, and so on. Recently, in response to demands on the mobileterminal which is light, thin, short and small, a touch screen system isbecoming popular while a key pad is removed from some mobile terminals.

However, it may be difficult to receive user input via the mobileterminal having a touch screen type display if the display isdeactivated according to a setting. On the other hand, if an additionalkey pad is provided on the mobile terminal, the additional key pad maynegatively affect the outer appearance of the terminal body, and thus,such a configuration of the mobile terminal may not be desired.

A related art mobile terminal displays processed information or anoutcome of an electric signal on a display unit thereof or transmits thesame to the user via sound or vibration. However, when an output signalfrom the terminal is transmitted through the display unit, a problem mayoccur in that the output information is not transmitted to the userdirectly unless the user continues to look at the display unit.Moreover, the transmission of the output signal from the terminal to theuser via sound or vibration may not be desirable in a public spacebecause such an output may annoy others in the same space.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a mobile terminal.

An object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal whichcan generate various user input signals by physical deformation of abody thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminalwhich can sense and convert a pressure caused by bending of a bodythereof into a user input signal.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a mobileterminal which can sense and convert a relative position change ofdifferent parts caused by bending of a body thereof into a user inputsignal.

Further object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminala body shape of which is physically deformed by an electric signal orthe like.

Still further object of the present invention is to provide a mobileterminal which can transmit an output signal by being deformed orchanging a shape of a body thereof.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a mobile terminalincludes a body including a flexible portion, a display unit provided tothe body, a sensing unit provided to the body and generating an electricsignal in response to bending of the body, and a controller recognizingthe electric signal and controlling the display unit according to theelectric signal generated by the bending of the body.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a mobileterminal includes a body including a flexible portion, a controlleroutputting a notification signal for notifying an event, and an actuatorchanging a shape of the body in response to a signal received from thecontroller.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description of the present invention areexemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide furtherexplanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the disclosure andtogether with the description serve to explain the principle of thedisclosure.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a frontal perspective view of a mobile terminal related to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a backside perspective view of the mobile terminal shown inFIG. 2.

FIGS. 4( a) and 4(b) are schematic views of a mobile terminal having abody including several sections in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention, wherein the configuration of the body can be changed.

FIGS. 5( a) and 5(b) are schematic views of a mobile terminal having abody including several sections in accordance with another embodiment ofthe present invention, wherein the configuration of the body can bechanged.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of sections of a body of a mobile terminal inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the bodyincluding a plurality of coupling structures.

FIGS. 7( a) and 7(b) are schematic views of sections showing pressuresensing positions caused by a change in the body configuration of amobile terminal in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of sections showing a plurality of couplingstructures in a body of a mobile terminal in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 9( a) and 9(b) are schematic views of sections showing pressuresensing positions caused by a change in the body configuration of amobile terminal in accordance with yet another embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a section in a part of a body of a mobileterminal and a sensor in accordance with another embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 11( a) and 11(b) are schematic views of sections showing pressurechanges caused by a change in the body configuration of a mobileterminal in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic plan view showing arrangement of sensing units ina mobile terminal in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of sections showing a plurality of couplingstructures in a body of a mobile terminal in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 14 and 15 are schematic views of sections for showing adisplacement of a sensing unit caused by a change of the bodyconfiguration of a mobile terminal in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a mobile terminal in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention, wherein the configuration of a bodyof the mobile terminal can be changed.

FIGS. 17( a)-(b) and 18(a)-(c) illustrate generating inputs formanipulating an operation control menu in response to changes of thebody configuration of a mobile terminal in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention.

FIGS. 19( a)-(c) illustrate generating inputs for manipulating anoperation control menu in response to changes of the body configurationof a mobile terminal in accordance with another embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 20( a) and 20(b) illustrate an operation process of an actuator ofa mobile terminal in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention, wherein the body configuration of the mobile terminal can bechanged.

FIGS. 21( a) and 21(b) are schematic views of sections showing a body ofa mobile terminal in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention, wherein the body configuration of the mobile terminal can bechanged.

FIGS. 22( a)-(b) and 23(a)-(b) are schematic views of sections showing abody of a mobile terminal in accordance with another embodiment of thepresent invention, wherein the body configuration of the mobile terminalcan be changed.

FIG. 24 is a plan view of a body of a mobile terminal and an actuator inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 25( a) and 25(b) illustrate an operation process of an actuator ofa mobile terminal in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view a mobile terminal in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention, wherein the configuration of a bodyof the mobile terminal can be changed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the specific embodiments of thepresent invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be usedthroughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

As used herein, the suffixes ‘module’, ‘unit’ and ‘part’ are used forelements in order to facilitate the disclosure only. Therefore,significant meanings or roles are not given to the suffixes themselvesand it is understood that the ‘module’, ‘unit’ and ‘part’ can be usedtogether or interchangeably.

The present invention can be applicable to various types of terminals.Examples of such terminals include mobile as well as stationaryterminals, such as mobile phones, user equipment, smart phones, digitaltelevisions (DTVs), computers, digital broadcast terminals, personaldigital assistants, portable multimedia players (PMPs) and navigators.

However, by way of non-limiting example only, further description willbe with regard to a mobile terminal 100, and it should be noted thatsuch teachings may apply equally to other types of terminals.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal 100 in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows the mobile terminal100 having various components, but it is understood that implementingall of the illustrated components is not a requirement. Greater or fewercomponents may alternatively be implemented.

FIG. 1 shows a wireless communication unit 110 configured with severalcommonly implemented components. For example, the wireless communicationunit 110 typically includes one or more components which permit wirelesscommunication between the mobile terminal 100 and a wirelesscommunication system or network within which the mobile terminal islocated. In case of non-mobile terminals, the wireless communicationunit 110 can be replaced with a wired communication unit. The wirelesscommunication unit 110 and wired communication unit can be commonlyreferred to as a communication unit.

A broadcast receiving module 111 receives a broadcast signal and/orbroadcast associated information from an external broadcast managingentity via a broadcast channel. The broadcast channel may include asatellite channel and a terrestrial channel. The broadcast managingentity generally refers to a system which transmits a broadcast signaland/or broadcast associated information.

At least two broadcast receiving modules 111 can be provided to themobile terminal 100 in pursuit of simultaneous reception of at least twobroadcast channels or facilitate broadcast channel switching.

Examples of broadcast associated information include informationassociated with a broadcast channel, a broadcast program, or a broadcastservice provider. For example, the broadcast associated information mayinclude an electronic program guide (EPG) of a digital multimediabroadcasting (DMB) system and an electronic service guide (ESG) of adigital video broadcast-handheld (DVB-H) system.

The broadcast signal may be implemented, for example, as a TV broadcastsignal, a radio broadcast signal, and a data broadcast signal. Ifdesired, the broadcast signal may further include a broadcast signalcombined with a TV or radio broadcast signal.

The broadcast receiving module 111 may be configured to receivebroadcast signals transmitted from various types of broadcast systems.By nonlimiting example, such broadcasting systems include a digitalmultimedia broadcasting-terrestrial (DMB-T) system, a digital multimediabroadcasting-satellite (DMB-S) system, a digital videobroadcast-handheld (DVB-H) system, the data broadcasting system known asmedia forward link only (MediaFLO®) and an integrated services digitalbroadcast-terrestrial (ISDB-T) system. Receiving multicast signals isalso possible. If desired, data received by the broadcast receivingmodule 111 may be stored in a suitable device, such as a memory 160.

A mobile communication module 112 communicates wireless signals with oneor more network entities such as a base station or Node-B. Such signalsmay represent, for example, audio, video, multimedia, control signaling,and data.

A wireless Internet module 113 supports Internet access for the mobileterminal 100. This module may be internally or externally coupled to themobile terminal 100. Suitable technologies for wireless Internet mayinclude, but are not limited to, WLAN (Wireless LAN) (Wi-Fi), Wibro(Wireless broadband), Wimax (World Interoperability for MicrowaveAccess), and HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access). The wirelessInternet module 113 can be replaced with a wire Internet module innon-mobile terminals. The wireless Internet module 113 and wiredInternet module may be commonly referred to as an Internet module.

A short-range communication module 114 facilitates relativelyshort-range communications. Suitable technologies for short-rangecommunication may include, but are not limited to, radio frequencyidentification (RFID), infrared data association (IrDA), ultra-wideband(UWB), as well as the networking technologies commonly referred to asBluetooth® and ZigBee®.

A position-location module 115 identifies or otherwise obtains thelocation of the mobile terminal 100. This module may be implementedusing, for example, global positioning system (GPS) components whichcooperate with associated satellites, network components, orcombinations thereof.

According to the current technology, the position-location module 115 isable to precisely calculate current three-dimensional positioninformation based on longitude, latitude and altitude by calculatingdistance information and precise time information from at least threesatellites and then applying triangulation to the calculatedinformation. Currently, location and time information is calculatedusing three satellites, and errors of the calculated location positionand time information are then amended using another satellite. Theposition-location module 115 is able to calculate speed information bycontinuously calculating a real-time current location.

An audio/video (A/V) input unit 120 is configured to provide audio orvideo signal input to the mobile terminal 100. As shown, the A/V inputunit 120 includes a camera 121 and a microphone 122. The camera 121receives and processes image frames of still pictures or video. Amicrophone 122 receives an external audio signal while the mobileterminal 100 is in a particular mode, such as a phone call mode,recording mode or voice recognition mode. This audio signal is processedand converted into digital data.

The mobile terminal 100, and specifically the A/V input unit 120,typically includes assorted noise removing algorithms to remove noisegenerated in the course of receiving the external audio signal. Datagenerated by the A/V input unit 120 may be stored in the memory 160,utilized by the output unit 150, or transmitted via one or more modulesof communication unit 110. If desired, two or more microphones 122and/or cameras 121 may be used.

A user input unit 130 generates input data responsive to usermanipulation of an associated input device or devices. Examples of suchdevices include a keypad, a dome switch, a touchpad such as staticpressure/capacitance, a jog wheel and a jog switch. A specific exampleis one in which the user input unit 130 is configured as a touchpad incooperation with a display 151, which will be described in more detailbelow.

A sensing unit 140 provides status measurements of various aspects ofthe mobile terminal 100. For example, the sensing unit 140 may detect anopen/close status of the mobile terminal 100, relative positioning ofcomponents such as a display 151 and keypad of the mobile terminal, achange of position of the mobile terminal or a component of the mobileterminal, a presence or absence of user contact with the mobileterminal, or orientation or acceleration/deceleration of the mobileterminal.

If the mobile terminal 100 is configured as a slide-type mobileterminal, the sensing unit 140 may sense whether a sliding portion ofthe mobile terminal is open or closed. Other examples include thesensing unit 140 sensing the presence or absence of power provided bythe power supply 190, the presence or absence of a coupling or otherconnection between the interface unit 170 and an external device.

The interface unit 170 is often implemented to couple the mobileterminal 100 with external devices. Typical external devices includewired/wireless headphones, external chargers, power supplies, storagedevices configured to store data such as audio, video, and pictures, aswell as earphones and microphones. The interface unit 170 may beconfigured using a wired/wireless data port, audio input/output ports,video input/output port, a card socket for coupling to a memory card, asubscriber identity module (SIM) card, a user identity module (UIM)card, or removable user identity module (RUIM) card.

When the mobile terminal 110 is connected to an external cradle, theinterface unit 170 becomes a passage for supplying the mobile terminal100 with power from the cradle or a passage for delivering variouscommand signals input from the cradle by a user to the mobile terminal100. Each of the various command signals input from the cradle or thepower can operate as a signal enabling the mobile terminal 100 torecognize that it is correctly loaded in the cradle.

An output unit 150 generally includes various components that supportthe output requirements of the mobile terminal 100. A display 151 istypically implemented to visually display information associated withthe mobile terminal 100. For example, if the mobile terminal 100 isoperating in a phone call mode, the display will generally provide auser interface (UI) or graphical user interface (GUI) that includesinformation associated with placing, conducting, and terminating a phonecall. As another example, if the mobile terminal 100 is in a video callmode or a photographing mode, the display 151 may additionally oralternatively display images associated with these modes.

One particular implementation includes the display 151 configured as atouch screen working in cooperation with an input device, such as atouchpad. This configuration permits the display 151 to function both asan output device and an input device.

The display 151 may be implemented using known display technologiesincluding a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor-liquidcrystal display (TFT-LCD), an organic light-emitting diode display(OLED), a flexible display and a three-dimensional display.

Some of the above displays 151 can be configured transparent so that anexternal environment can be seen through the corresponding display. Sucha display 151 can be called a transparent display. A representativeexample of the transparent display is a transparent LCD display.

The mobile terminal 100 may include one or more of displays 151. Anexample of a two-display embodiment is one in which one display 151 isconfigured as an internal display viewable when the mobile terminal isin an opened position and a second display 151 is configured as anexternal display viewable in both the opened and closed positions. Thetouchscreen can be configured to detect a touch input pressure as wellas a touch input position and size.

Meanwhile, a proximity sensor 141 can be provided within or around thetouchscreen. The proximity sensor 141 detects an object approaching aprescribed detecting surface or a presence or non-presence of an objectexisting around itself using an electromagnetic power or infrared rayswithout mechanical contact. Hence, the proximity sensor 141 may besuperior to a contact sensor with regard to lifespan and utilization.

An example of an operation of the proximity sensor 141 will be explainedas follows. First, if an object approaches a sensor detecting surfacewhile an oscillation circuit oscillates a sine radio frequency, anoscillation amplitude of the oscillation circuit attenuates or stops.This change is converted to an electric signal to detect a presence ornon-presence of the object. Thus, if any material other than a metalcomes between the RF oscillation proximity sensor and the object, aproximity switch will be able to detect the object without interferenceby the material.

Even without providing the proximity sensor 141, if the touchscreen iselectrostatic, it can be configured to detect the proximity of a pointerthrough an electric field change attributed to the proximity of thepointer. Therefore, when the pointer is placed in the vicinity of thetouchscreen without actually contacting the touchscreen, to thetouchscreen can detect a position of the pointer and a distance betweenthe pointer and the touchscreen. For clarity and convenience ofexplanation, an action for enabling the pointer approaching thetouchscreen to be recognized as placed on the touchscreen is named a‘proximity touch’ and an action of enabling the pointer to actuallycontact the touchscreen is named a ‘contact touch’. And, a position, atwhich the proximity touch is performed on the touchscreen using thepointer, refers to a position of the pointer vertically corresponding tothe touchscreen when the pointer performs the proximity touch.

If the proximity sensor 141 is used, it is able to sense a proximitytouch and its pattern (e.g., proximity touch distance, proximity touchdirection, proximity touch speed, proximity touch position, or proximitytouch moving state). The proximity sensor 141 is also able to outputinformation corresponding to the sensed proximity touch action and theproximity touch pattern to the touchscreen.

FIG. 1 further shows the output unit 150 having an audio output module152 which supports the audio output requirements of the mobile terminal100. The audio output module 152 is often implemented using one or morespeakers, buzzers, other audio producing devices, and combinationsthereof.

The audio output module 152 functions in various modes such as acall-receiving mode, call-placing mode, recording mode, voicerecognition mode and broadcast reception mode. During operation, theaudio output module 152 outputs audio related to a particular functionor status, such as a call received, message received, or errors.

The output unit 150 is further shown having an alarm 153, which iscommonly used to signal or otherwise identify the occurrence of aparticular event associated with the mobile terminal 100. Typical eventsinclude a call received, message received and user input received.

An example of a signal provided by the output unit 150 are tactilesensations. For example, the alarm 153 may be configured to vibrateresponsive to the mobile terminal 100 receiving a call or message. Asanother example, vibration is provided by the alarm 153 responsive toreceiving user input at the mobile terminal 100, thereby providing atactile feedback mechanism. It is understood that the various signalsprovided by the components of the output unit 150 may be separatelyperformed or performed using any combination of such components.

The memory 160 is generally used to store various types of data tosupport the process, control, and storage requirements of the mobileterminal 100. Examples of such data include program instructions forapplications operating on the mobile terminal 100, contact data,phonebook data, messages, pictures, and video.

Moreover, data for various patterns of vibration and/or sound outputtedin case of a touch input to the touchscreen can be stored in the memory160. Map information can also be stored in the memory 160, and thereforepromote a user's convenience by providing the map information to theuser if necessary. Moreover, a recent use history or a cumulative usefrequency of each menu in the mobile terminal can be stored in thememory 160.

The memory 160 shown in FIG. 1 may be implemented using any type orcombination of suitable volatile and non-volatile memory or storagedevices including random access memory (RAM), static random accessmemory (SRAM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory(EEPROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), programmableread-only memory (PROM), read-only memory (ROM), magnetic memory, flashmemory, magnetic or optical disk, card-type memory, or other similarmemory or data storage device.

A controller 180 typically controls the overall operations of the mobileterminal 100. For example, the controller 180 performs the control andprocessing associated with voice calls, data communication, instantmessage communication, video calls, camera operations and recordingoperations.

The controller 180 may include a multimedia module 181 that providesmultimedia playback. The multimedia module 181 may be configured as partof the controller 180, or implemented as a separate component.

Moreover, the controller 180 is able to perform a pattern recognizingprocess for recognizing a writing input and a picture drawing inputcarried out on the touchscreen as characters or images, respectively.

The power supply 190 provides power required by the various componentsof the mobile terminal 100. The power may be internal power, externalpower, or combinations thereof.

Various embodiments described herein may be implemented in acomputer-readable medium using, for example, computer software,hardware, or some combination thereof. For a hardware implementation,the embodiments described herein may be implemented within one or moreapplication specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signalprocessors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs),programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays(FPGAs), processors, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors,other electronic units designed to perform the functions describedherein, or a selective combination thereof. In some cases, suchembodiments may also be implemented by the controller 180.

For a software implementation, the embodiments described herein may beimplemented with separate software modules, such as procedures andfunctions, each of which perform one or more of the functions andoperations described herein. The software codes can be implemented witha software application written in any suitable programming language andmay be stored in memory such as the memory 160, and executed by acontroller or processor, such as the controller 180.

The mobile terminal 100 may be implemented in a variety of differentconfigurations. Examples of such configurations include folder-type,slide-type, bar-type, rotational-type, swing-type and combinationsthereof. For clarity, further disclosure will primarily relate to abar-type mobile terminal 100. However such teachings apply equally toother types of mobile terminals.

Referring to FIG. 2, the mobile terminal 100 includes a bar shapedterminal body. However, the present invention is not limited to thisconfiguration, but is applicable to terminals of various structures,such as a slide type in which two or more bodies are coupled so as to bemovable to one another relatively, a folder type, a swing type, a swiveltype, and so on.

The body includes a case (casing, housing, or cover) which forms anexterior thereof. In the embodiment, the case includes a front case 101and a rear case 102. Various electronic components are mounted in aspace formed between the front case 101 and the rear case 102. There canbe at least one intermediate case between the front case 101 and therear case 102, additionally. The cases may be injection moldings ofsynthetic resin or formed of a metal, such as stainless steel ortitanium Ti.

The terminal body, mostly the front case 101, may have a display 151, anaudio output module 152, a camera 121, user input units 130 includinginputs 131 and 132, a microphone 122, and an interface unit 170 arrangedthereon.

The display 151 occupies most of a main surface of the front case 101.The audio output module 152 and the camera 121 are arranged at a regionadjacent to one end of the display 151 and the user input unit 132 andthe microphone 122 are arranged at a region adjacent to the other end ofthe display 151. The user input unit 132 and the interface 170 may bearranged at sides of the front case 101 and the rear case 102.

The user input unit 130, for receiving an order to control operation ofthe mobile terminal 100, may include a plurality of handling units 131and 132. The handling units 131 and 132 may be called a handling portioncollectively, which may be of any type as long as it can be handled in atactile manner.

Contents to be received by the first and second handling units 131 and132 may be set in a variety of ways. For example, the first handlingunit 131 may receive orders, such as start, end and scroll, and thesecond handling unit 132 may receive orders, such as control of soundvolume from the audio output module 152, and shifting to a touch sensingmode of the display 151, and so on.

Referring to FIG. 3, an additional camera 121′ may be mounted to abackside of the terminal body, i.e., on the rear case 102. The camera121′ has a picture taking direction opposite to the camera 121 shown inFIG. 2, and may have a pixel resolution different from the camera 121.

For an example, it is preferable that the camera 121 has a low densityof pixels such that taking a picture of a user's face and transmittingthe picture to a receiver can be done conveniently. The camera 121′ mayhave a high density of pixels such that the camera 121′ photograph ageneral object and store a higher quality picture. The cameras 121 and121′ may be mounted to the terminal body rotatably or with the abilityto pop-up.

A flash 123 and a mirror 124 are also arranged adjacent to the camera121′. The flash 123 illuminates the object when the camera 121′photographs the object. The mirror 124 enables the user to see theuser's face if the user intends to take a picture of the user with thecamera 121′.

An additional audio output module 152′ may be mounted to the backside ofthe terminal body. The audio output module 152′ can implement a stereofunction together with the audio output module 152 shown in FIG. 2A, andmay be used for implementing a speaker phone mode.

Besides an antenna for communication, the terminal body at a sidethereof may also have a broadcasting signal reception antenna 124. Theantenna 124 in the broadcast receiving module 111 shown in FIG. 1 may bemounted such that it can be pulled out of the terminal body.

The terminal body has the power supply unit 190 mounted thereto forsupplying power to the mobile terminal 100. The power supply unit 190may be built in the terminal body or detachably mounted to an outersurface of the terminal body.

The rear case 102 may have a touch pad 135 mounted thereto for sensing atouch. Similar to the display 151, the touch pad 135 may also be a lighttransmissive. For example, if the display 151 is configured to providevisual information on both sides of the display such that the visualinformation is viewable on both the front case 101 and the rear case102, the visual information can also be sensed and controlled by thetouch pad 135. Alternatively, an additional display 151 may be mountedto the touch pad 135 such that an additional touch screen is provided onthe rear case 102.

The touch pad 135 is operative in relation to the display 151 on thefront case 101. The touch pad 135 can be arranged at the rear of thedisplay 151 in parallel thereto. The touch pad 135 may have a size whichis the same or smaller than the display 151.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the mobile terminal 100 includes a body 200of which at least a portion is formed of an elastic material that allowsdeformation of the body, a display 151 provided to the body 200, and atleast one sensing unit 500 (discussed below referring to FIGS. 6 to 9)provided on the body 200, which transmits an electric signal generatedin response to a change in the body configuration or according to anextent the body 200 is bent.

The display 151 is constructed of a flexible display which can be bentin accordance with the bending of the body 200. The flexible display hasa flexible screen which can be rolled at the end, and is configured tobe flexible or bendable such that the display 151 can be folded orunfolded.

A general printed circuit board P and a flexible printed circuit board fcan be mounted in the body 200, selectively. That is, the flexibleprinted circuit board f is provided at a flexible portion of the body200 formed of the flexible material, and the printed circuit board P isprovided at a rigid portion of the body 200 formed of a rigid material.The flexible printed circuit board f is arranged at a boundary of theflexible portion and the rigid portion.

The printed circuit board P may be a plate having thin copper linesprinted thereon, and is an electronic component formed to placedifferent components, such as semiconductors, condensers, or resistors,therein. This enables effective electric wiring design to reduce a sizeof electronic apparatuses and enhance performance thereof. Even though ageneral printed circuit board P is constructed of a solid board that isrigid, since the flexible printed circuit board f is constructed of aflexible board that can be bent, the flexible printed circuit board f issuitable for a bendable structure.

In one embodiment, although the body 200 has frames built in the frontand rear cases 101 and 102, the body 200 is not distinctive from thefront and rear cases 101 and 102. That is, the body 200 is formed as asingle structure of the mobile terminal 100 including the front and rearcases 101 and 102, and the frames that form an inside structure of thefront and rear cases 101 and 102.

Since the body 200 is flexible, when at least some portions of the body200 are formed of an elastic material and exposed to an outside of thebody 200, or separate front and rear cases 101 and 102 are providedaccording to the design, the front and rear cases 101 and 102 also areformed of the identical elastic material that forms the body 200 suchthat an exterior of the mobile terminal 100 can be deformed or bentphysically.

The body 200 may include a first body 210 and at least one second body230 a/230 b flexibly coupled to the first body 210. In this embodiment,although the second body 230 may include a second body 230 a provided atone side of the first body 210, and a second body 230 b provided at theother side of the first body 210, the second bodies 230 a and 230 b areidentical in their structure and function.

In this embodiment, one of the first body 210 and the second body 230a/230 b is formed of a flexible material, and the other is formed of arigid material. For example, if the first body 210 is formed of theflexible material, the second body 230 a/230 b is formed of the rigidmaterial, or depending on the design, both the first body 210 and thesecond body 230 a/230 b may be formed as a single unit of the flexiblematerial.

A preferred embodiment of the body 200 will be described with referenceto FIGS. 4( a) and 4(b). The first body 210 may be formed of theflexible material, and the second body 230 a/230 b may be formed of therigid material. In this embodiment, the flexible printed circuit board fis provided to the first body 210, and the printed circuit board P and abattery 190 may be provided to the second body 230 a/230 b. That is, theflexible printed circuit board f that is suitable for bending is appliedto the first body 210 while the printed circuit board P that is notbendable or rigid and the battery 190 that requires security are appliedto the second body 230 a/230 b.

In this embodiment, the display 151 constructed of the flexible displayis arranged at one side of the body 200. The display 151 may be providedto both the first body 210 and the second body 230 a/230 b, or dependingon the design, the display 151 may be provided only to the first body210 or the second body 230 a/230 b. When the first body 210 is formed ofthe flexible material, if an external force is applied to the secondbody 230, the first body 210 is deformed elastically to guide relativemovement of the second body 230 a/230 b, as shown in FIG. 4( b).

A body 200 in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention will be described with reference to FIGS. 5( a) and 5(b). Thefirst body 210 may be formed of the rigid material and the second body230 a/230 b may be formed of the flexible material. In this embodiment,the printed circuit board P and the battery 190 are provided to thefirst body 210 and the flexible printed circuit board f is provided tothe second body 230 a/230 b.

When the second body 230 a/230 b is formed of the flexible material, ifexternal force is applied to the second body 230 a/230 b, the secondbody 230 a/230 b is deformed elastically such that the second body 230a/230 b moves, rotates, or bends relative to the first body 210, asshown in FIG. 5( b). As discussed referring to FIGS. 5( a)-6(b), thematerials used for the first body 210 and the second body 230 a/230 bmay vary in the mobile terminal 100 depending on their arrangement.

Referring to FIGS. 6, 7(a) and 7(b), both the first body 210 and thesecond body 230 a are bendable. In this embodiment, the first body 210is formed of the flexible material and the second body 230 is formed ofthe rigid material.

The first body 210 and the second body 230 a have a coupling rib 212 anda coupling slot 232, respectively. The coupling slot 232 extends along acoupling surface L of the first body 210 and the second body 230 a, andthe coupling rib 212 is placed in the coupling slot 232 to couple thefirst and second bodies 210 and 230 a together.

A sensing unit 500 is included at a coupling portion of the first body210 and the second body 230 a. The sensing unit 500 may be the sensingunit 140 and may sense pressure applied thereto. The sensing unit 500may include a first sensing unit 500 a and a second sensing unit 500 b.

The first body 210 may comprise the coupling rib 212 to be placed in thesecond body 230 a. The coupling rib 212 is extended along the couplingsurface L of the first body 210 and the second body 230 a. That is, thecoupling rib 212 is projected toward the second body 230 a along oneside circumference of the first body 210.

The first body 210 includes contact portions 214 and 216 to be broughtinto contact with the sensing unit 500 to apply a pressure thereto. Thesame number of the contact portions 214 and 216 and the sensing units500 are provided.

The contact portions 214 and 216 may be a portion of the first body 210or the coupling rib 212, and may not be distinctive from the first body210 or the coupling rib 212. However, the contact portions 214 and 216may have shapes and structures that are different from the first body210 or the coupling rib 212, respectively.

The contact portions 214 and 216 may include a first contact portion 214and a second contact portion 216 matching the first sensing unit 500 aand the second sensing unit 500 b, respectively. The first contactportion 214 and the second contact portion 216 are providedindependently from each other to prevent the contact portions 214 and216 from interfering with each other due to physical deformation.

The second body 230 a includes a coupling slot 232 formed therein forplacing the coupling rib 212 therein. The coupling slot 232 is formed asa portion of the second body 230 a and recessed inward. It is preferablethat the coupling rib 212 and the coupling slot 232 are not exposed toan exterior of the mobile terminal 100 at the time of coupling.

A mounting rib 234 may be provided to the first body 210 or the secondbody 230 a. The mounting rib 234 has the sensing unit 500 providedthereto. In this embodiment, the mounting rib 234 is provided to thesecond body 230 to match the coupling rib 212. While the coupling rib212 is projected toward the second body 230 a from the contact surfaceL, the mounting rib 234 is projected toward the first body 210 from thecontact surface L, which strengthens the coupling of the first body 210and the second body 230 a.

The body 200 has a fastening boss 236 provided thereto such that thefastening boss 236 passes through the coupling rib 212 in the couplingslot 232 at the first body 210 or the second body 230 a. The fasteningboss 236 may be provided at a portion where the coupling slot 232 isformed therein. In order to maintain a constant fastening force, it ispreferable that at least two fastening bosses 236 are arranged such thatthey are spaced apart from each other.

At least two fastening bosses 236 may be provided spaced apart from eachother and a coupling force thereof may be maintained by a fasteningpiece j that passes through the fastening bosses 236. However, dependingon the design, the first body 210 and the second body 230 may becoupled, not by the fastening bosses 236, but by the fastening piece jwhich passes through the first body 210 and the second body 230.

Even though the sensing unit 500 is provided to a fore end of themounting rib 234 and mounted to the second body 230 a, the sensing unit500 may be positioned at the first body 210. The sensing unit 500 ispreferably positioned at the first body 210 because theflexible-material composition of the first body 210 prevents damage tothe sensing unit 500 such that the sensing unit 500 can effectivelysense a signal.

Moreover, the sensing unit 500, provided at the contact surface of thefirst body 210 and the second body 230 a, is configured to forward anelectric signal which may vary with the extent of contact between thefirst body 210 and the second body 230 a.

Preferably, the sensing unit 500 is mounted to the second body 230 aformed of the rigid material for sensing the extent of contact of thesecond body 230 a to the first body 210 formed of the flexible material.The sensing unit 500 includes one pair of the first sensing unit 500 aand the second sensing unit 500 b provided in a height direction of thebody 200 such that they are spaced apart from each other.

Thus, the one pair of the first sensing unit 500 a and the secondsensing unit 500 b sense pressure changes of respective positions andtransmit an electric signal to the controller 180. The controller 180determines a direction of bending of the body 200 and recognizes thebending as a user's input signal according to a setting registered inadvance.

The sensing unit 500 may be extended in a length direction of the body200. This is because the coupling between the first body 210 and thesecond body 230 a is made in the length direction. That is, when thefirst body 210 or the second body 230 a is bent, since deformation ofthe mounting rib 234 or the coupling rib 212 takes places in the heightdirection of the body 200, the sensing unit 500 is extended in thelength direction of the body 200 for easy sensing of the bending. Inthis embodiment, the sensing unit 500 is positioned between the one pairof coupling ribs 212.

Preferably, a plurality of the sensing units 500 are provided to cornersof the body 200 spaced apart from each other. The sensing units 500 maybe arranged at a plurality of corners to enable the user to receive adesired signal at various portions of the mobile terminal 100.

The sensing unit 500 may include a proximity sensor 141, a pressuresensor, or an acceleration sensor. The proximity sensor 141 enables themobile terminal 100 to detect an approaching object or existence of anobject close thereto without actual physical contact. The proximitysensor 141 can detect the object positioned close thereto by detecting achange of an AC magnetic field, a change of a static magnetic field, ora rate of change of capacitance. Two or more proximity sensors 141 canbe provided depending on the configuration of the mobile terminal 100.

The pressure sensor can detect application of pressure to the mobileterminal 100 and intensity of the pressure. The pressure sensor can bemounted to a portion of the mobile terminal 100 where detection ofpressure is required.

The acceleration sensor is a device for converting a change ofdirectional acceleration to an electric signal, and is widely used inmicro-electromechanical systems (MEMS). There are various kinds ofacceleration sensors, including one that is built into an air bag systemof a car to measure a high acceleration for detecting collision, and onethat measures micron acceleration used as input means of a game deviceby sensing a minute action of a human hand. In general, although theacceleration sensor has two axes or three axes mounted to one package,only one axis or Z-axis may be required.

Accordingly, instead of the Z-axis acceleration sensor, if an X-axis ora Y-axis acceleration sensor is required under a certain circumstance,the acceleration sensor may be mounted vertically to a main board byusing a separate board piece.

Moreover, the sensing unit 500 includes at least one of a motion sensor,a temperature sensor, a tension sensor, a current sensor, a touchsensor, a tilt sensor for detecting folding or bending of the body 200or detecting folding or bending of a portion thereof.

In this embodiment, the sensing unit 500 is the pressure sensor formeasuring an absolute pressure or a relative pressure changed inresponse to bending of the body 200.

Referring to FIG. 7( a), when the second body 230 a is bent upward inthe same direction as a screen of the display 151 faces, the secondcontact portion 216 is deformed to apply pressure to the second sensingunit 500 b, and the body 200 receives a user input signal.

In contrast, referring to FIG. 7( b), when the second body 230 a is bentdownward in a direction that is opposite to a direction the screen ofthe display 151 faces, the first contact portion 214 is deformed toapply pressure to the first sensing unit 500 a, and the body 200receives the user input signal.

A coupling structure of the first body 210 and the second body 230 a andthe arrangement of the sensing units 500 may vary depending on design.In the description of other embodiments of the present invention,detailed description of parts that are identical to the foregoingembodiment will be omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 8, 9(a), and 9(b), at least one of the first body 210and the second body 230 a is bendable. For example, the first body 210is formed of a flexible material and the second body 230 a is formed ofa rigid material.

The first body 210 and the second body 230 a have a coupling rib 212 anda coupling slot 232, respectively. The coupling slot 232 extends along acoupling surface L of the first body 210 and the second body 230 a, andthe coupling rib 212 is placed in the coupling slot 232 to couple thefirst and second bodies 210 and 230 a together.

A sensing unit 500 is located between the first body 210 and the secondbody 230 a. The sensing unit 500 may include a first sensing unit 500 aand a second sensing unit 500 b.

The first body 210 may include the coupling rib 212 to be placed in thesecond body 230 a. The coupling rib 212 is extended along the couplingsurface L of the first body 210 and the second body 230 a. That is, thecoupling rib 212 is projected toward the second body 230 a along oneside circumference of the first body 210.

The first body 210 includes contact portions 214 and 216 to be broughtinto contact with the sensing unit 500 to apply pressure thereto. Thesame number of the contact portions 214 and 216 and the sensing units500 are provided. The contact portions 214 and 216 may include a firstcontact portion 214 and a second contact portion 216 matching the firstsensing unit 500 a and the second sensing unit 500 b, respectively. Inthis embodiment, the contact portions 214 and 216 may be a portion ofthe coupling rib 212.

The body 200 includes a fastening boss 236 provided thereto such thatthe fastening boss 236 passes through the coupling rib 212 that isplaced in the coupling slot 232 from the first body 210 or the secondbody 230 a. At least two fastening bosses 236 may be provided such thatthey are spaced apart from each other, and the fastening force may bemaintained by a fastening piece j that passes through the fasteningbosses 236.

The sensing unit 500 is provided to a fore end of the coupling slot 232and mounted to the second body 230 a. In this embodiment, the sensingunit 500 is arranged on a side of the second body 230 a with referenceto the contact surface L of the first body 210 and the second body 230a.

Preferably, the sensing unit 500 is mounted to the second body 230 aformed of the rigid material for sensing the extent of contact of thesecond body 230 a to the first body 210 formed of the flexible material.In this embodiment, the sensing unit 500 is provided to receive pressurefrom a portion of the coupling rib 212 of the first body 210,selectively. One pair of the coupling ribs 212 is formed between thefirst sensing unit 500 a and the second sensing unit 500 b. In otherwords, the sensing unit 500 is provided between the coupling slot 232and the coupling rib 212.

The sensing unit 500 includes one pair of the first sensing unit 500 aand the second sensing unit 500 b provided in a height direction of thebody 200 such that they are spaced apart from each other. The sensingunit 500 may be extended in a length direction of the body 200. It ispreferable that a plurality of the sensing units 500 are provided tocorners of the body 200 such that they are spaced apart from each other.

Referring to FIG. 9( a), when the second body 230 a is bent upward inthe same direction as a screen of the display 151 faces, the firstcontact portion 214 is deformed to apply pressure to the first sensingunit 500 a, and the body 200 receives a user input signal.

In contrast, referring to FIG. 9( b), when the second body 230 a is bentdownward in a direction that is opposite to a direction the screen ofthe display 151 faces, the second contact portion 216 is deformed toapply pressure to the second sensing unit 500 b, and the body 200receives the user input signal.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the mobileterminal 100 has a different arrangement of the sensing unit compared tothe above discussed embodiments. Therefore, description of partsidentical or similar to the embodiments discussed above will be omittedin the following discussion of other embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 10, the body 200 is formed of a flexible material suchthat the entire body is bendable. The body 200 may be formed byinjection molding of a synthetic resin such as rubber. A sensing unit600 is provided in the body 200 such that bending of the body 200applies compressive force to the sensing unit 600, selectively.

A display 151 is provided to the body 200 such that it can conform withthe bending of the body 200. The display 151 is constructed of aflexible display having a flexible screen. The body 200 includes aflexible printed circuit board f formed of a flexible material mountedtherein.

The flexible printed circuit board f is extensively disposed in a heightdirection of the body 200. The sensing unit 600 is provided to theflexible printed circuit board f. The sensing unit 600 includes one pairof a first sensing unit 600 a and a second sensing unit 600 b providedto the flexible portion of the body 200 spaced apart from each other inthe height direction of the body 200.

The sensing unit 600 is placed in the flexible portion of the body 200such that the flexible portion of the body 200 surrounds the sensingunit 600. Thus, bending of the body 200 generates and transmitscompression force or tension directly to the sensing unit 600.Therefore, the body 200 and the sensing unit 600 maintain a closecontact state.

Moreover, the one pair of the first sensing unit 600 a and the secondsensing unit 600 b are extended in a height direction of the body 200.Notably, the compression or tension generated in response to the bendingof the body 200 formed as a single unit is transmitted in a lengthdirection of the body 200. Therefore, the first sensing unit 600 a andthe second sensing unit 600 b being arranged extensively in the heightdirection, allows smooth sensing of the compression force or the tensiontransmitted in the length direction. That is, a sensing portion of thesensing unit 600 is provided to face the length direction of the body200.

In more detail, the first sensing unit 600 a and the second sensing unit600 b are arranged at portions where the tension and compression forceis generated in response to the bending of the body 200, respectively.That is, if the body 200 formed of the flexible material is bent to oneside, the tension and compression force generated is centered on areference line, wherein the first sensing unit 600 a and the secondsensing unit 600 b are arranged in directions that are different fromeach other with reference to the reference line for sensing a change ofthe tension and compression force, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 11( a), if the body 200 is bent in a direction that isopposite to a direction a screen of the display 151 faces, tension isgenerated at the first sensing unit 600 a arranged adjacent to thedisplay 151, and compression force is generated at the second sensingunit 600 b arranged farther from the display 151 relatively, such thatthe body 200 can receive the user's signal accordingly.

Referring to FIG. 11( b), if the body 200 is bent in the same directionas a direction of a screen of the display 151 faces, compression forceis generated at the first sensing unit 600 a arranged adjacent to thedisplay 151, and tension is generated at the second sensing unit 600 barranged relatively farther from the display 151 such that the body 200can receive the user's signal accordingly.

Thus, a direction of bending of the body 200 is recognized by a pressurechange sensed at the one pair of the first sensing unit 600 a and thesecond sensing unit 600 b, and the magnitude of force can also bemeasured by a change of the pressure.

Moreover, in order to make more sensitive measurement, pressure may beapplied to the sensing unit 600 at an initial stage. In this instance,the pressure is reduced at a portion of the body 200 on which thetension acts.

Therefore, if the sensing unit 600 is provided to a center portion ofthe body 200, a bending direction of the body 200 and intensity thereofare measurable. Further, if the sensing unit 600 is provided to aparticular portion of the body 200, such as a corner, a direction andintensity of the movement in a particular direction are also measurable.

Referring to FIG. 12, as described before, the sensing units 540 and 560may include a proximity sensor, a pressure sensor, or an accelerationsensor. In this embodiment, the sensing units 540 and 560 are motionsensors and detect relative position changes caused by bending of thebody 200. That is, the sensing unit includes a first motion sensor 540for sensing a position of the body 200, and a second motion sensor 560for sensing a position change relative to the first motion sensor 540.

The first motion sensor 540 is arranged at a substantially centralportion of the body 200, and the second motion sensor 560 is arranged atone or more corner portions of the body 200, each motion sensor beingspaced apart from each other. The first motion sensor 540 detectsspatial coordinates of an absolute position of the body 200, and thesecond motion sensor 560 detects a position of the second motion sensor560 relative to the first motion sensor 540, to sense whether the body200 has been deformed or not. Therefore, the second motion sensor 560 isarranged at a portion that can be deformed with reference to theposition at which the first motion sensor 540 is arranged.

The first motion sensor 540 and the second motion sensor 560 detect atleast one of geomagnetism, acceleration, tilting or angular accelerationfor sensing a relative position change. In this embodiment, the firstmotion sensor 540 and the second motion sensor 560 may be geomagneticsensors which measure intensity of the geomagnetism for detecting anangle of azimuth, or acceleration sensors which measure acceleration ofa moving object or intensity of an impact.

The first motion sensor 540 and the second motion sensor 560 may includea three axis geomagnetic sensor which senses a rotation direction byusing an absolute direction of the North Pole and a three axisacceleration sensor which senses increase or decrease of acceleration ofgravity. The three axis geomagnetic sensor detects intensity of magneticfields in three axial directions perpendicular to one another, and thethree axis acceleration sensor detects acceleration in three axialdirections.

Accordingly, if the first motion sensor 540 is provided to the firstbody 210, and the second motion sensor 560 is provided to the secondbody 230 which can be deformed with respect to the first body 210, thefirst motion sensor 540 detects spatial absolute coordinates of thefirst body 210, and the second motion sensor 560 detects coordinatesrelative to the first motion sensor 540. In this embodiment, if thesecond body 230 is deformed with respect to the first body 210,coordinates of the second motion sensor 560 relative to the first motionsensor 540 are changed, and the controller 180 senses such relativeposition change of the first motion sensor 540 and the second motionsensor 560 to receive the same as a user input signal.

Referring to FIG. 13, both the first body 210 and the second body 230 aare bendable. In this embodiment, the first body 210 is formed of therigid material and the second body 230 a is formed of the flexiblematerial.

The first body 210 and the second body 230 a have the coupling rib 212and the coupling slot 232 formed in conformity with each other forcoupling to each other. The coupling slot 232 has a lengthy extensionalong a coupling surface L of the first body 210 and the second body 230a, and the coupling rib 212 is provided such that it can be placed inand coupled to the coupling slot 232.

The first body 210 includes the coupling rib 212 to be placed in thesecond body 230 a. The coupling rib 212 is extended along the length ofa coupling surface of the first body 210 and the second body 230 a. Thatis, the coupling rib 212 is projected toward the second body 230 a alongone side circumference of the first body 210.

In this embodiment, the coupling rib 212 is positioned at the first body210 on a side of the second body 230 a with reference to the contactsurface L, and the second body 230 a is not positioned on a side of thefirst body 210 with reference to the contact surface L. If the secondbody 230 a is not projected toward the first body 210 with reference tothe contact surface L, the second body 230 a is not deformed when thesecond body 230 a is coupled to the first body 210 due to a smallcontact surface of the second body 230 a to the first body 210.

The body 200 includes a fastening boss 236 provided thereto which passesthrough the coupling rib 212 that is placed in the coupling slot 232from the first body 210 or the second body 230. At least two fasteningbosses 236 may be provided spaced apart from each other, and a fasteningforce thereof may be maintained by a fastening piece j which passesthrough the fastening boss 236.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, the mobile terminal 100 has a bendablebody 200 such that bending or twisting of a corner or an edge portion ofthe body 200 generates a user input signal for operating the mobileterminal 100.

In this embodiment, the first motion sensor 540 is provided to the firstbody 210, and the second motion sensor 560 is provided to the secondbody 230 a/230 b. The first motion sensor 540 detects spatialcoordinates of an absolute position of the first body 210, and thesecond motion sensor 560 detects a position of the second motion sensor560 relative to the first motion sensor 540, to sense if the body 200 isdeformed or not.

Referring to FIG. 14, the first motion sensor 540 and the second motionsensor 560 detect at least one of geomagnetism, acceleration, tilting orangular speed when the body 200 is not bent for detecting spatialcoordinates of the first body 210 and the second body 230.

Referring to FIG. 15, when the body 200 is bent by external force, thesecond body 230 b is deformed with respect to the first body 210 and aposition of the second motion sensor 560 is changed. That is, if aposition of the second motion sensor 560 changes with respect to thefirst motion sensor 540, the controller 180 senses a displacement of thesecond motion sensor 560, and recognizes the same as a user input signalto perform a preset operation.

Notably, the reason for setting the first motion sensor 540 as areference sensor to detect a relative position of the second motionsensor 560 is to prevent a situation where if only the second motionsensor 560 is provided, while the second motion sensor 560 may sensedeformation of the body 200, the second motion sensor 560 may also sensemovement of the body 200 in the same manner, and thus induce an error.

Hence, if the first motion sensor 540 is set to be a reference sensor todetect the relative position between the second motion sensor 560 andthe first motion sensor 540, the controller 180 can distinguish betweenthe movement of the body 200 and the bending of the body 200.

The operation of the mobile terminal 100 including the aforementionedsensing units 500, 540 and 560 will be described with reference to theattached drawings, in detail.

Referring to FIG. 16, the mobile terminal 100 has a bendable body 200such that bending or twisting of a corner or an edge portion of the body200 generates a user input signal for operating the mobile terminal 100.

If the body 200 can be deformed physically, and the sensing units 500,540 and 560 discussed above (not shown in FIG. 16) are provided forsensing a physical change of the body 200, the user input signal can beintuitively transmitted without using the key pad or the touchscreentype display.

Moreover, since the compressive force or the tension generated bybending the body 200 can be sensed as the user input signal, or therelative position change of the one pair of the sensing units 540 and560 generated by bending the body 200 can be sensed as the user inputsignal, the mobile terminal 100 can be utilized to the maximum and theuser's interest can be induced in a game or a menu centered on a userinterface. Thus, if the physical deformation of the body 200 can besensed as a user input signal, the operation of the mobile terminal 100can be controlled in a variety of ways.

FIGS. 17( a)-18(c) illustrate controlling an operation control menu bydeforming a body of a mobile terminal in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention. Referring to FIG. 17( a), if an upper leftside corner of the mobile terminal 100 is bent 711, a menu item 712shown on a lower left side of the display 151 can be selected.Accordingly, the menu item selected 712 may be put into operation inresponse to the deformation of the body of the mobile terminal 100.

Similar to FIG. 17( a), referring to FIG. 17( b), if an upper right sidecorner of the mobile terminal 100 is bent 713, a menu item 714 shown ona lower right side of the display 151 can be selected. Further, the menuitem 716 shown at the lower center of the display 151 may be selectedwhen an upper middle portion of the mobile terminal 100 is bent. In thiscase, depending on the direction of the bending, for example, forward orbackward, a different input may be received by the mobile terminal 100.

Referring to FIG. 18( a), a menu item 735 to be selected when an upperleft side corner of the mobile terminal 100 is bent 731 may be preset byselecting the menu item 735 from a list of menu items 750. For example,the menu item 735 can be selected in response to a touch and drag input740. Referring to FIG. 18( b), a menu item 737 to be selected when anupper right side corner of the mobile terminal 100 is bent 732 may bepreset in response to a touch and drag input 742. Referring to FIG. 18(c), the menu item 736 to be selected when the mobile terminal 100 isbent may be set to be more than two menu items. In this case, the menuitem to be executed in response to the bending of the mobile terminal100 may be displayed as a message asking for a user's selection.

Referring to FIGS. 19( a) and 19(b), if one side of the mobile terminal100 is bent 751 when an operation screen is displayed on the display151, an operation control menu 760 is displayed on the display 151. Whenone of the displayed menu items is selected from the operation controlmenu 760 by a touch input 761, an operation corresponding to the touchedmenu item is executed. For example, as shown in FIG. 19( c), an image isdisplayed on the display 151 in response to the touch input 761selecting a thumbnail image of the displayed image. While the operationcontrol menu 760 is displayed in response to the bending in thisembodiment, various operations may be controlled by bending the mobileterminal 100 having the body 200 formed of the flexible material.

FIGS. 20( a) and 20(b) illustrate an operation of an actuator of themobile terminal 100 in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention. Referring to FIGS. 20( a) and 20(b), a shape memory alloy 800of an actuator may be a metal alloy that can return to its originalshape. For example, the alloy can be deformed at a temperature below atransition temperature, and eventually return to its original shapeprior to deformation at temperature above the transition temperature.The transition temperature may be a fixed temperature at which thetransition or change occurs.

Accordingly, the shape memory alloy 800 can be fabricated to memorize abent shape and to maintain a flat shape such that the shape memory alloy800 returns to the bent shape when the shape memory alloy 800 reaches atemperature above a certain temperature by applying heat thereto. Theshape memory alloy 800 can convert thermal energy into mechanical energysuch as displacement or power, and includes properties such as a shapememory effect, a vibration attenuation characteristic, a super elasticeffect and an excellent anti-corrosive characteristic.

The shape memory effect is a property in which, while the shape memoryalloy 800 is deformed at a low temperature below a critical point, theshape memory alloy 800 returns to an original shape if the shape memoryalloy 800 is heated to a higher temperature. The vibration attenuationcharacteristic, which is best shown at a low temperature phase(Martensite) of the shape memory alloy, emits a non-metallic sound, suchas a dead sound or “thud” sound similar to rubber if the shape memoryalloy is dropped from a certain height and in the low temperature phase.The super elastic effect is a characteristic in which, while the shapememory alloy 800 is deformed at a high temperature phase (Austenite), ifthe external force is removed from the shape memory alloy, the shapememory alloy 800 returns to an original shape.

The shape memory alloy 800 may be sorted as a nickel group Ni, a coppergroup Cu, an iron group Fe, and other kinds thereof, such as Cu—Zn—Ni,Cu—Al—Ni, Ag—Ni, and Au—Cd which are combinations of metals includingzinc Zn, aluminum Al, gold Au and silver Ag. However, a shape memoryalloy 800 having the best memory may be nickel-titanium Ni—Ti alloy.

An alloy formed by mixing nickel and titanium at a ratio of 1:1 innumbers of atoms is referred to as Nitinol. Nitinol has a uniquecharacteristic in which a crystalline structure changes with atemperature change. While an atomic structure of Nitinol changes easilyat a low temperature, the atomic structure of Nitinol becomes harder anddoes not change at a high temperature. Nitinol can be formed to show theshape memory effect within a wide temperature range of −400° F. (−240°C.)˜212° F. (100° C.).

The crystalline structure of Nitinol has an internal structure having arepetition of a few million crystal units each with a unique shape andunique angles. Most metal alloys have internal structures each of whichis not influenced from a certain extent by temperature change. If heatis applied thereto, though atoms therein vibrate at a higher speed,enabling to bend or change a shape thereof by applying external force, amolecular structure thereof does not change.

In contrast, the shape memory alloy 800 may include two stablecrystalline structures which change according to temperature. Thetemperature change can change one crystalline structure to anothercrystalline structure. A critical temperature at which such a changetakes place varies with composition and kinds of the alloy metal.

The atoms in Nitinol are arranged in a face centered cubic lattice inwhich one atom is arranged at each of eight corners and at a center ofeach of six faces in a die form at a high temperature. If the Nitinol iscooled, the arrangement of the atoms changes at a certain temperaturesuddenly from the die shape of arrangement to a body centered cubiclattice in which, though the atoms at the 8 corners stay as they were,the atom at each of the six faces are positioned at a center of the die.The crystalline structure change from the face centered cubic lattice tothe body centered cubic lattice with a temperature change provides theshape memory effect to the shape memory alloy.

FIGS. 21( a) and 21(b) illustrate a section of a body of the mobileterminal 100 and a change thereof in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention. Referring to FIG. 21( a), the mobile terminal 100includes a body 200 formed of materials at least some of which candeform elastically, a display 151 provided to the body 200 fordisplaying an image, and an actuator provided in the body 200 forchanging a shape thereof upon receiving an electric signal appliedthereto selectively to change a shape of the body 200.

The display 151 is constructed of a flexible display which can be bentin conformity with the bending of the body 200. The flexible display isa flexible screen which can be rolled at the end. The flexible displayis configured to provide flexibility such that the display 151 can befolded or unfolded.

A general printed circuit board P (not shown) and a flexible printedcircuit board f can be mounted in the body 200, selectively. That is, atparts of the body 200 formed of the flexible material, the flexibleprinted circuit board f is provided, at parts of the body 200 formed ofa rigid material, the printed circuit board P is provided, and at aboundary of the flexible portion and the rigid portion, the flexibleprinted circuit board f is arranged.

In this embodiment, the body 200 is formed of an elastic material, andthe actuator is formed of the shape memory alloy 800 which alternatesbetween an original shape and a deformed shape according to atemperature change. The shape memory alloy 800 is placed in the body 200such that the shape change of the shape memory alloy 800 also changesthe shape of the body 200. The shape memory alloy 800 changes a shapethereof as an electric signal provided thereto generates heat generatedin response to internal resistance.

For example, the shape memory alloy 800 is connected to the controller180 electrically such that the controller 180 provides the electricsignal to the shape memory alloy 800, selectively. Once the electricsignal is transmitted to the shape memory alloy 800, the heat isgenerated at an inside thereof, to change an internal temperature of theshape memory alloy 800 to change the shape of the shape memory alloy800, at the end. That is, the shape memory alloy 800 converts theelectric signal into thermal energy by electric resistance, and thethermal energy changes the crystalline structure of the shape memoryalloy 800, thereby changing the shape of the shape memory alloy 800.

The shape memory alloy 800 has a fixed width that is extended in alength direction of the body 200. Moreover, the shape memory alloy 800has a plate shape extended from one end to the other of the body 200.

The shape memory alloy 800 having the plate shape with the fixed widthprovides a surface area thereto such that the shape change of the shapememory alloy 800 causes deformation of the body 200. And, the shapememory alloy 800 extended in the length direction of the body 200 usesenergy generated as the shape memory alloy 800 undergoes the shapechange in changing an outside shape thereof without being absorbed bythe body 200. Notabley, if a force is applied to objects of identicalmaterial, an object longer than the other is deformed easily.

Moreover, it is preferable that the shape memory alloy 800 changes froma flat shape to a bent shape when an internal temperature thereofexceeds the transition temperature. Accordingly, the shape memory alloy800 is configured to memorize a bent shape and a curved shape, and whenthe shape memory alloy 800 is mounted in the body 200, the shape memoryalloy 800 is mounted in a flat shape. Thus, the shape memory alloy 800maintains the flat shape in an ordinary state, and returns to theoriginal curved shape when the internal temperature of the shape memoryalloy 800 exceeds the transition temperature due to the electric signal.

Referring to FIGS. 22( a)-23(b), although the body 200 has frames andother components built in the front and rear cases 101 and 102, the body200 is not distinctive from the front and rear cases 101 and 102combined. That is, the body 200 may be considered as part of a wholestructure of the mobile terminal 100 including the front and rear cases101 and 102, the frame and other components that form an internalstructure of the front and rear cases 101 and 102.

Because the body 200 is flexible, when at least some portions of thebody 200 are formed of an elastic material and exposed to an outside ofthe body 200, or separate front and rear cases 101 and 102 are provideddepending on the design of the mobile terminal 100, the front and rearcases 101 and 102 are also formed of the elastic material such that thebody 200 is enabled for deformation.

In this embodiment, the body 200 may include a first body portion 210and at least one second body portion 230 a/230 b flexibly coupled to thefirst body portion 210. Although the second body portion 230 may includea second body portion 230 a provided at one side of the first bodyportion 210, and a second body portion 230 b provided at the other sideof the first body portion 210, the second body portion 230 a and thesecond body portion 230 b may not be distinctive in their structure andfunction.

In one aspect of the present invention, one of the first body portion210 and the second body portion 230 a/230 b is formed of a flexiblematerial, and the other body portion is formed of a rigid material. Forexample, if the first body portion 210 is formed of the flexiblematerial, the second body portion 230 a/230 b is formed of the rigidmaterial. Alternatively, depending on the design, both the first bodyportion 210 and the second body portion 230 a/230 b may be formed of theflexible material as a single unit.

Since the coupling structure of the first body portion 210 and thesecond body portion 230 a/230 b is identical to the foregoing embodimentdescribed with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9( b), detailed description ofthe coupling structure will be omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 22( a) and 22(b), the first body portion 210 may beformed of the flexible material, and the second body portion 230 a/230 bmay be formed of the rigid material. In this instance, the flexibleprinted circuit board f is provided to the first body portion 210, andthe printed circuit board P and the battery 190 may be provided to thesecond body portion 230 a/230 b.

That is, the flexible printed circuit board f that is suitable forbending is applied to the first body portion 210 formed of the flexiblematerial, and the printed circuit board P that is not bendable andstiff, and the battery 190 that requires security are applied to thesecond body portion 230 a/230 b.

In this embodiment, the display 151 constructed of the flexible displayis arranged at one side of the body 200. The display 151 may be providedto the first body portion 210 and the second body portion 230 a/230 brespectively, or depending on the design, the display 151 may beprovided only to the first body portion 210 or the second body portion230 a/230 b.

In order to deform the body 200, the shape memory alloy 800 is placed ina flexible portion of the body 200. In FIGS. 22( a) and 22(b), the shapememory alloy 800 is placed in the first body portion 210 formed of theflexible material.

If an electric signal is applied to the shape memory alloy 800 when theshape memory alloy 800 is mounted to the first body portion 210, heat isgenerated in the shape memory alloy 800 due to to electric resistance,and when the heat elevates an internal temperature, the shape memoryalloy 800 is deformed to the curved shape memorized by the shape memoryalloy 800, as shown in FIG. 22( b).

In this embodiment, the shape memory alloy 800 is bent to a concaveshape, both ends of the shape memory alloy 800 being raised such thatthe first body portion 210 is also bent accordingly and causing thesecond body portion 230 a/230 b coupled to the first body portion 210 tochange its position according to the bending direction of the first bodyportion 210.

That is, according to the shape change of the first body portion 210,the position of the second body portion 230 a/230 b is also changed withrespect to the first body portion 210, thereby making the body 200 havea curved shape. Since the flexible printed circuit board f and thedisplay 151 are changed in conformity with the deformation of the body200, no damage is made by the shape change of the body 200.

Referring to FIGS. 23( a) and 23(b), the first body portion 210 may beformed of the rigid material, and the second body portion 230 a/230 bmay be formed of the flexible material. In this embodiment, the printedcircuit board P and the battery 190 may be provided to the first bodyportion 210, and the flexible printed circuit board f may be provided tothe second body portion 230 a/230 b.

In order to deform the body 200, the shape memory alloy 800 is placed ina flexible portion of the body 200. In this embodiment, the shape memoryalloy 800 is placed in the second body portion 230 a/230 b formed of theflexible material.

If an electric signal is applied to the shape memory alloy 800 when theshape memory alloy 800 is mounted to the second body portion 230 a/230b, heat is generated in the shape memory alloy 800 due to electricresistance, and when the heat elevates an internal temperature, theshape memory alloy 800 deforms to the curved shape memorized by theshape memory alloy 800.

In this embodiment, the shape memory alloy 800 is bent, both ends of theshape memory alloy 800 being raised, to change the shape memory alloy800 to a concave shape, and the position of the second body portion 230a/230 b is also changed with respect to the first body portion 210,thereby making the body 200 have a curved shape. In this instance, sincethe flexible printed circuit board f and the display 151 are changed inconformity with the deformation of the body 200, no damage is made bythe shape change.

FIG. 24 illustrates an actuator used in the body of the mobile terminal100 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.FIGS. 25( a) and 25(b) illustrate sections of the body of mobileterminal 100 having the actuator in accordance with another embodimentof the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 24-25( b), the body 200 includes a first body portion210 formed of a flexible material, and at least one second body portion230 a/230 b formed of a rigid material and coupled to the first bodyportion 210. The actuator is provided in the body 200 for changing ashape thereof to deform a shape of the body 200 upon receiving anelectric signal provided thereto, selectively.

In this embodiment, the first body portion 210 may be formed of theflexible material, and the second body portion 230 a/230 b may be formedof the rigid material. The first body portion 210 may have a flexibleprinted circuit board f provided thereto and the second body portion 230a/230 b may have a printed circuit board P and the battery 190 providedthereto.

The actuator according to this embodiment may have a plurality offrames, each of which may be varied in response to the electric signal.Referring to FIG. 24, the actuator may include a motor 840 fixed to thefirst body portion 210 for providing a driving force thereto, and amovable frame 820 having one end connected to the motor 840 and theother end that is rotated in response to the motion of the motor 840.

The movable frame 820 may include a first movable frame 820 a providedto one end of a fixed frame 810, and a second movable frame 820 bprovided to the other end of the fixed frame 810. However, a number ofthe movable frames 820 may be configured such that two or more movableframes 820 are provided to opposite sides of the fixed frame 810 toprovide a variety of changes at an edge portion of the body 200depending on design. In this instance, a number of the motors 840corresponds to a number of the movable frames 820, and each of themotors 840 is individually controllable. In one aspect of the presentinvention, when no electric signal is provided to the motor 840, themotor 840 is freely rotatable.

Moreover, the actuator may include a fixed frame 810 in the first bodyportion 210 to have the motor 840 mounted thereto and movably connectedto the movable frame 820. Since the fixed frame 810 has two motors 840that are mounted at opposite ends thereof and rotatable in oppositedirections, reaction force from each of the motors 840 can be minimized.

The fixed frame 810 is extended in a length direction of the body 200,and may have opposite ends with the movable frames 820, which aremovably provided through the motors 840, connected thereto,respectively. That is, the fixed frame 810 and the movable frame 820 maybe provided to the body 200 extended in the length direction thereof. Ifthe fixed frame 810 and the movable frame 820 are arranged extendedly inthe length direction thereof, the shape change caused by rotation of themovable frame 820 may be made visually distinctive such that the usercan clearly recognize the change of the shape of the body 200.

In more detail, the motor 840 includes a motor body 842 for generating arotation force and a rotation shaft 844 for transmitting the rotationforce to an outside of the motor 840. In this embodiment, the motor body842 is mounted to the fixed frame 810 fixed to the first body portion210 or the second body portion 230 a/230 b, and the rotation shaft 844is connected to one end of the movable frame 820. Gears engaged with therotation shaft 844 and the movable frame 820 or friction members at acoupling portion of the rotation shaft 844 and the movable frame 820 maybe included for effective transmission of the rotation force.

Referring to FIGS. 25( a) and 25(b), the actuator deforms the body 200as the motor 840 fixed to the first body portion 210 rotates the movableframe 820, wherein the motor 840 can be fixed to the first body portion210 directly, or can also be fixed to the first body portion 210indirectly if the motor 840 is mounted to the fixed frame 810.

For example, the motors 840 generate the driving force when the motors840 are fixed to the respective opposite ends of the fixed frame 810.The movable frames 820 may be rotatably connected to the motors 840, atthe respective opposite ends of the fixed frame 810. Thus, if two motors840 are mounted to the opposite ends of the fixed frame 810respectively, vibration from the motors 840 can offset each other.Further, the motors 840 are not mounted to the first body portion 210individually, but a modularized fixed frame 810 may be mounted to thefirst body 210 to reduce the time required for assembly.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 25( b), the rotation of the movable frame 820with respect to the fixed frame 810 changes the shape of the first bodyportion 210, and the other end of the movable frame 820 connected to thesecond body portion 230 a/230 b guides movement of the second bodyportion 230 a/230 b. That is, the movable frame 820, mounted to aportion of each of the first body portion 210 and the second bodyportion 230 a/230 b, deforms the first body portion 210 when the movableframe 820 rotates, and the second body portion 230 a/230 b changes itsposition according to the deformation of the first body portion 210.

In this embodiment, the movable frame 820 changes a position of thesecond body portion 230 a/230 b in conformity with the shape change ofthe first body portion 210 such that no load from weight of the secondbody portion 230 is placed on a coupling surface of the first bodyportion 210 and the second body portion 230 a/230 b. That is, themovable frame 820 changes the shape of the first body portion 210 aswell as a position of the second body portion 230 a/230 b.

Alternatively, although not shown in the drawing, the entire portion ofthe body 200 may be formed of an elastic material. That is, the body 200may not be divided into the first body portion 210 and the second bodyportion 230 a/230 b, but is constructed as a single unit such that theentire body 200 may be formed to allow elastic deformation.

The body 200 includes the actuator provided thereto, wherein theactuator may include the fixed frame 210 fixed in the body 200, at leastone motor 840 having one end fixed to the fixed frame 210 for providingthe driving force, and a movable frame 820 in the body 200 rotatablyconnected to the motor 840. In this embodiment, the motor 840 includes amotor body 842 fixed to the fixed frame 810, and a rotation shaft 844rotatably provided to the motor body 842 and connected to the movableframe 820.

Referring to FIG. 26, the mobile terminal 100 includes deformable frame.Therefore, the shape of the mobile terminal 100 can be deformedphysically in response to a signal from the controller 180, and anoperation system of the mobile terminal 100 may vary depending on aconfiguration of the actuator in the body of the mobile terminal 100.

If the actuator is constructed of the shape memory alloy 800 (shown inFIG. 20), when an electric signal is provided from the controller 180 tothe shape memory alloy 800, electric resistance takes place in the shapememory alloy 800 to generate heat. Once the temperature of the shapememory alloy 800 is elevated and exceeds the set transition temperatureof the shape memory alloy 800, the shape memory alloy 800 returns to amemorized shape due to the shape memory effect of the shape memory alloy800.

That is, the shape memory alloy 800 is deformed to a curved shape andthe shape of the body 200 changes according to the change of the shapememory alloy 800. Thus, if the body 200 changes the shape thereof from aflat shape to a curved shape, the user can recognize a generated signalby visually noticing the shape change of the mobile terminal 100.

After the shape of the body 200 is changed to the curved shape, the usermay also apply an external force thereto to deform the body 200 to itsoriginal shape or a flat shape. Alternatively, the controller 180 maycontrol the actuator having the motor 840 such that the actuator returnsthe shape of the body 200 back to its normal configuration.

Moreover, if the actuator includes the fixed frame 810 and the movableframe 820, the controller 180 transmits the electric signal to the motor840 such that the motor 840 rotates the movable frame 820. If themovable frame 820 rotates, the first body portion 210 formed of theflexible material deforms such that the second body portion 230 a/230 bformed of the rigid material and fixed to one end of the movable frame820 moves in accordance with rotation of the movable frame 820.

If the movable frame 820 rotates in the body 200, a portion of the body200 is bent to have a curved shape. If the body 200 is changed from theflat shape to the curved shape, the user can visually distinguish ashape change of the body 200 and recognize a signal generated from themobile terminal 100.

Thus, the mobile terminal 100 can output a notification signal not onlyby vibration, sound, or display, but also by the change of the shape ofthe body 200. For example, when the mobile terminal 100 receives atelephone call, the controller 180 may change the shape of the body 200in response to the call such that the body changes to a curvedconfiguration. In this case, no noise is emitted while the telephonecall signal is output. Further, a portion of the mobile terminal 100 maybe made to bend when the telephone call is received such that themicrophone 122 is placed closer to a mouth of the user during thetelephone call conversation, thus improving communication quality.

Moreover, if the mobile terminal 100 has optional menus, when the body200 is bent at a left side or a right side thereof, a user input signalmay be generated by returning one side of the bent body 200 to itsoriginal position.

As described above, the mobile terminal according to the presentdisclosure has the following advantages.

The physically deformable body and the sensing unit which can sense aphysical change of the body permits the mobile terminal to generate theuser input signal intuitively without using a key pad or touch screentype display.

One pair of the sensing units may be arranged to a portion of the bodysuch that the sensing units detect spatial coordinates caused by arelative movement or displacement of the sensing units when the body isbent and the shape is changed. Therefore, no external user input meansneeds to be exposed on the body of the mobile terminal, and thus, themobile terminal may be designed more freely without having any userinput means on the outside of the body.

Since the mobile terminal according to the present invention can sense acompression or a tension caused by bending of the body as the user inputsignal, the mobile terminal can be utilized to induce the user'sinterest when a menu centered on a game or user interface is used.

Since the mobile terminal has a physically deformable body and anactuator which is mounted in the body and can change the shape of thebody in response to an electric signal, the mobile terminal can bedesigned to provide various kinds of signals depending on various shapesof the body that can be achieved.

Since the mobile terminal according to the present invention can sense adeformation caused by bending of the body as a signal, the mobileterminal can be utilized to induce the user's interest when a menucentered on a game or user interface is used.

Since the mobile terminal according to the present invention is designedto output a signal by changing a shape of the mobile terminal, thusenabling to transmit the signal to the user without causing anenvironmental noise, the user of the terminal can maintain a comfortableenvironment surrounding the mobile terminal.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the present inventionwithout departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus, itis intended that the present invention covers the modifications andvariations of this invention provided they come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mobile terminal comprising: a body having alength, a width and a height, the length greater than both the width andthe height and extending along a length direction, the width less thanthe length and greater than the height and extending along a widthdirection, and the height extending along a height direction, whereinthe body is formed by flexibly coupling a first body portion and atleast one second body portion coupled to the first body portion in thelength direction, one of the first body portion and the at least onesecond body portion having a flexible portion; a pair of coupling slotsrecessively formed at the at least one second body portion, each of thepair of coupling slots extending inward from a respectivelycorresponding coupling surface of the first body portion and the atleast one second body portion; a pair of coupling ribs formed at thefirst body portion, each of the pair of coupling ribs protruding fromthe respectively corresponding coupling surface toward the at least onesecond body portion and inserted into a respectively correspondingcoupling slot in order to couple the first body portion and the at leastone second body portion; a display unit located on one side of the bodythat is defined by the width and the length; a sensing unit configuredto sense bending of the body, the sensing unit comprising a first sensordisposed at a first contact portion of the first body portion betweenone of the pair of coupling slots and one of the pair of coupling ribsand a second sensor disposed at a second contact portion between theother one of the pair of coupling slots and the other one of the pair ofcoupling ribs, wherein the first sensor is configured to sense bendingof the body when the body is bent upward in a first direction, which issame as a direction that a screen of the display unit faces, such thatthe first contact portion applies pressure to the first sensor, whereinthe second sensor is configure to sense bending of the body when thebody is bent downward in a second direction that is opposite to thefirst direction such that the at least one second contact portionapplies pressure to the second sensor, and wherein the first sensor andthe second sensor are spaced apart and aligned along the heightdirection; a controller configured to: control the display unit inresponse to the bending of the body; generate first electric signal whenthe first sensor sense that the body is bent upward; and generate asecond electric signal when the second sensor senses that the body isbent downward, wherein one of the first body portion and the at leastone second body portion is formed of a flexible material that isbendable, and the other one of the first body portion and the at leastone second body portion is formed of a rigid material that is notbendable.
 2. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the first contactportion and the second contact portion are provided separately toprevent the first contact portion and the second contact portion fromcontacting each other when the body is bent.
 3. The mobile terminal ofclaim 1, wherein each of the first sensor and the second sensor islocated in a flexible portion of the body such that the flexible portionselectively provides compression force to at least the first sensor orthe second sensor as the flexible portion is bent.
 4. The mobileterminal of claim 3, further comprising a flexible printed circuit boardlocated in the flexible portion and operatively coupled to at least thefirst sensor or the second sensor.
 5. The mobile terminal of claim 1,further comprising: a first motion sensor configured to sense a positionof a portion of the body on which it is located, and a plurality ofsecond motion sensors each configured to sense a change of a position ofa portion of the body on which it is located relative to the firstmotion sensor.
 6. The mobile terminal of claim 5, wherein the firstmotion sensor is arranged at a substantially central portion of thebody, and each of the plurality of second motion sensors is arranged ata different corner portion of the body such that each of the pluralityof second motion sensors is spaced apart from each other.
 7. The mobileterminal of claim 1, wherein the display unit comprises a flexibledisplay configured to be bent according to the bending of the body. 8.The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the controller is furtherconfigured to control the display unit to display a specific next imagein response to the first or second electric signal.
 9. The mobileterminal of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured toselect a menu item in response to the first or second electric signalsuch that a different menu item is selected based upon a portion of thebody that is bent.
 10. The mobile terminal of claim 9, wherein thecontroller is further configured to execute the selected menu item inresponse to the first or second electric signal.
 11. The mobile terminalof claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to control thedisplay unit to display an operation control menu in response to thefirst or second electric signal.
 12. The mobile terminal of claim 1,further comprising: an actuator configured to change a shape of the bodyfrom a first form to a second form in response to a signal received fromthe controller.
 13. The mobile terminal of claim 12, wherein theactuator comprises: a motor fixed to a portion of the body for providinga driving force; and a movable frame having a first end portionconnected to the motor for rotating a second end portion of the frame.14. The mobile terminal of claim 12, wherein the controller is furtherconfigured to change the shape of the body from the second form back tothe first form when user input is received after the shape of the bodyhas been changed from the first form to the second form or after apreset period of time has passed after the shape of the body has beenchanged from the first form to the second form if no user input isreceived within the preset period of time.
 15. The mobile terminal ofclaim 12, wherein the signal is generated when an event occurs at themobile terminal.
 16. The mobile terminal of claim 15, wherein the eventcomprises receiving a phone call or message.